29 Aug 2013

exploring


Shopping centres make me tetchy.  Harshly lit and full of muffled noise they evoke feelings of claustrophobia at best and despair at worst.  I'm often totally overwhelmed by the mass of choice and wander aimlessly like a lost soul only to leave empty handed. When forced to take my babies with me into these abysses their eyes glaze over within minutes from the assault of light, noise and visual clutter. My hands reach for them constantly as I perform an octopus dance pulling them back from the swirl of people around us. I'm sure I always leave with one or two more grey hairs.

Oh but to explore. Places where our eyes can rest on natural textures and our lungs inhale fresh, pure air. My anxiety lifts like a fog in these spaces and I release my hold on chubby hands. I let my babies wander off ahead of me, the invisible tether much longer in these parts as they turn over rocks, peer down hollows and crunch papery leaves between their fingers.

Animated chatter and skippedy feet slowly subside and give way to a quietening from us all. I observe them observing the world and use my camera to hone in on the minutiae of their beings in the same way they use their magnifying glasses to scrutinise tiny life. Treasures are collected and new paths are tread. Wisps of nature that capture our particular attention are recorded with concentration and detail. We will delight in looking back on these in years to come.

To explore is to seek, to hunt, to sift, to scout...to question....to live.

Steph x

I made Bijou a small, simple explorer's bag for our many travels (a small calico bag would work perfectly). Filled with a magnifying glass, a sturdy journal and a set of pencils or pastels she is ever prepared for a magnificent discovery.

10 comments:

  1. I love the explore bag, the perfect tool box for a nature loving, inquiring mind x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I freak out if I cannot even see Jarvis for a second in a shopping centre, but will happily let him play and hide in the back yard. It is the lights, the piped music the frenzy of the other shoppers. Drives me crazy. But then I think it is because I worked in retail for years I know the true horrors of shopping centres.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so beautiful, I love your captures of her exploration.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shopping centres are truly evil places, especially with kids! Bijou's little 'explore' bag is such a good idea, and so lovely! (Hmmm. Could I make one in time for Christmas? You'd think four months would be enough... but...!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I feel just the same about shopping centers and the calm that nature and space brings. You write so beautifully and poetically Steph and these pictures are divine. I want a little explorer bag for my little Miss too - love! This post just warmed my heart. That sounds a little corny, but it truly did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much lovely Em! What a beautiful thing to day. Hope everything is lovely in your world :) xx

      Delete
  6. Her drawing of the flower is just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with all of the sentiments here… shopping centres are absolutely grim! x

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the "explore" bag with sketchbook. You have a beautiful blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a lovely thing to say! Thanks so much for visiting and I hope your week is wonderful :) xx

      Delete

Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x